Fake Contest Scams: Don’t Let “You’ve Won!” Win Over You

April 25, 2025

A surprising number of the scams we see are contests. Our users are very lucky. But, spoiler alert, it's in the confidence that they are acting soundly and in their long term best interest, not in the fun way.

Maybe it was a “Congratulations!” email, a flashy social media post tagging you, or even a phone call claiming you hit the jackpot. It’s exciting—until you realize it’s all fake.

Fake contest scams prey on excitement and hope. They often dangle luxurious vacations, gift cards, electronics, or even cash prizes—only to leave you scammed out of personal info or money.

How It Works

1. The Bait
   Scammers send you a message saying you’ve won a contest, giveaway, or sweepstakes. They may use logos from real companies or even impersonate influencers or brands you follow.
2. The Hook
   To “claim your prize,” you’re asked to:
   • Pay a small “processing fee” or “tax”
   • Provide personal details (like your address, phone number, or banking info)
   • Click a malicious link
   • Download a fake “prize claim” app
3. The Sting
   Once they’ve got your info or payment, the scammer disappears. There’s no prize—only potential identity theft or financial loss.

What It Looks Like

You’re scrolling through your social media feed when you spot a message. It might be a post, an ad or even a direct message: “🎉 Congratulations! You’ve been selected as our lucky winner!” The profile picture looks legit—maybe it even uses the logo of a brand you recognize. The message says you’ve won a $500 gift card or the latest iPhone, and all you have to do is click a link or respond with your contact details to claim it.

Sometimes the message feels personal. “We loved your recent comment and picked you as one of our giveaway winners!” It’s flattering. It feels real.

Then comes the catch. To finalize your prize, they say you need to pay a small “processing fee” or “shipping cost.” They ask for your credit card details or a quick Venmo payment. Or maybe they send you a link to a website that looks official—until you notice the URL is slightly off or the site asks for way too much personal info.

What started as a fun surprise quickly starts to feel off. But by the time your alarm bells start ringing, you might’ve already shared sensitive information—or even sent money.

That’s the scam in action.

Red Flags to Watch For

• 🛑 You didn’t enter a contest, but you “won”
• 💸 They ask you to pay anything to receive a prize
• 🔗 The link looks sketchy or shortened (like bit.ly or tinyurl)
• 📱 It comes from a new or unofficial-looking social media account
• 📃 They demand personal info quickly, without clear verification
• 🔍 You can’t find any record of the contest on the company’s website or page

How to Stay Safe

• Never pay to win. Legitimate contests never charge winners.
• Verify the source. Look up the company or person contacting you—use their official website or contact info.
• Don’t click suspicious links. They may lead to phishing pages or malware downloads.
• Think before you share. Scammers often use urgency to cloud your judgment.
• Report it. Alert the platform (like Facebook or Instagram) and the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

Final Thought

Scammers rely on one thing: your excitement. The next time you get a message that screams “You’re a winner!” Stop and ask yourself how you can double check if it's legit. And of course, if it feels too good to be true, it probably is.